E is for Editor* and Edible

*Specifically, first all of the wonderful people who beta-read for me and edit my books and rip them to shreds before they ever go anywhere. Second, Ramona Tucker, Editorial Director and co-founder of my publishing company, who goes through them all again before they go to print and does SO much more.



Dear beta-readers/critiquers,

Thank you SO MUCH for all the time you spend reading my books. Thanks to those of you who read the first drafts, or the drafts-in-progress that are subject to change as I go, or the third or fifth drafts. Thank you for being honest with me and telling me what you think is working and what you think is crap. Thank you for ripping my books to pieces so that I can put them back together and make them better.

You are all awesome and I would not be able to write without you.

Laura


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Dear Ramona,

You are incredible. You handle so much and work insanely long hours, and I have no idea how you do it all—but not only do you do it, you accomplish everything with such patience, grace, and kindness. Thank you for all of your hard work. Thank you for taking my books and helping me make them better. Thank you for your time, enthusiasm, and persistence, and for believing in my stories. You not only brought me through my first journey of publication, but you made it a beautiful one, and I look forward to the next journey.

Thankfully,
Laura



**Question for others: Do you have people who help you along in your editing process? How do you edit?  I have a whole post somewhere on here about having a support system--do you have one as you write?  I'm always curious about how other people go about writing a book and whipping it into shape.


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 Dear Wall-E Cake,

I will likely be eating you for breakfast (why yes, I am so very healthy), because it is my daughter's birthday and my kids get to have cake first on their birthdays. ;) You were a lot of fun to make, and even though your eyes turned out funky, my daughter is happy with you, so all is well.